Enrollment on the rise at Arkansas Tech-Ozark campusOZARK — Preliminary enrollment figures for fall 2015 show a significant increase in freshmen enrolled at Arkansas Tech University-Ozark Campus. Recent high school graduate enrollment increased 28 percent compared to fall 2014, and the fall to fall retention data shows a 10 percent growth. Enrollment figures for fall 2015 are official as of the end of the 11th class day for the semester. Additionally, the Arkansas Tech Career Center (ATCC), an ...

Boozman: It’s fair to highlight rival’s Obama tiesCONWAY — Republican U.S. Sen. John Boozman said Monday it’s fair to highlight his Democratic rival and former federal prosecutor Conner Eldridge’s ties to President Barack Obama, who remains deeply unpopular in Arkansas. Boozman echoed Republicans’ criticism of Eldridge, who announced last week he was seeking the Democratic nomination to unseat the incumbent first-term senator, as an Obama appointee. “Certainly if you’re appointed by the presi...

Full-time state employee numbers growLITTLE ROCK — Full-time state employees saw a slight increase in their ranks during the past fiscal year, and personnel executives said Arkansas and other states can fill positions because of overall improvements to the national economy and continued demand for workers in prisons and human services departments. A report by state budget administrator Duncan Baird showed the state’s payroll increased by 60 to 56,933 full-time employees between J...

Nonprofit that mapped Internet speeds in Arkansas shut downLITTLE ROCK — Some groups say they’re worried that the shutdown of a nonprofit that mapped Internet speeds around Arkansas will leave states without updated information needed to coordinate broadband expansion. The Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports the nonprofit shut down earlier this year when federal money ran out. Similar to initiatives across the country, Connect Arkansas’ money mostly came from the American Recovery and Reinvest...

Officials: Term increases would improve service to residentsJONESBORO — Some officials are supporting legislation that would extend term lengths for elected county officials from two years to four. The Jonesboro Sun reports (http://bit.ly/1Oo046z ) that several Craighead County officials say two-year terms hamper their ability to provide services to residents and force them to constantly campaign. Arkansas is one of only two states to mandate that elected county officials run for re-election every two ...

Arkansas land transfer is completed for US Marshals MuseumFORT SMITH — The transfer of 16.3 acres of riverfront property to the U.S. Marshals Museum has been completed. Museum officials said Monday that the Robbie Westphal family had completed the land transfer. The property is nearly 10 acres more than the original riverfront tract that was donated several years ago to better accommodate parking and additional amenities at the museum. The president and CEO of the museum, Jim Dunn, said organizers co...

Police union, city of Little Rock to negotiate fitness testsLITLLE ROCK — The city of Little Rock and its police union are expected to begin negotiations next month to determine whether officers will have to pass a fitness test. Little Rock Police Chief Kenton Buckner sent a directive in May that would have required all sworn officers to pass a fitness test after a maximum of three attempts. Those who couldn't pass the test would have been relieved of duty, the memo said. Fraternal Order of Police Pres...

Execution set for Nov. 3 for Terrick NoonerKilled Russellville native in 1993 in LR Among the eight death-row inmates Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson set execution dates for last week was a man who killed a Russellville native in Little Rock 22 years ago. Terrick Nooner, 43, was sentenced to death after his conviction in the murder of Scot Stobaugh, 22, who lived in Little Rock and was a student at the University of Arkansas-Little Rock. Nooner shot and killed Stobaugh in a laundromat in ...

Sutterfield to speak for Constitution DayOZARK — Arkansas Tech University-Ozark Campus will host a Constitution Day celebration on Sept. 16 in the Student Services Conference Center. This year marks the 228th anniversary of the ratification of the U.S. Constitution, which was adopted by the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, Pa., on Sept. 17, 1787. The event, which is free and open to the public, will begin at 2 p.m. and feature guest speaker Judge Dennis Sutterfield of the A...

State names finalists for Arkansas Teacher of YearLITTLE ROCK — The Arkansas Department of Education has named 15 regional finalists for the annual Teacher of the Year award. They will be honored Sept. 17 in Little Rock, where the top four finalists will be announced. Each regional finalist receives a $1,000 award, while the Arkansas Teacher of the Year will receive an additional $14,000. The winner will be named in a surprise ceremony later this fall. The regional finalists and their school ...

Police: Arkansas teen faces murder charge in uncle's deathFORREST CITY — Police say an Arkansas teenager has been charged as an adult with first-degree murder in the death of his uncle. Television station KAIT (http://bit.ly/1VL7AdJ ) reports that the name of the 16-year-old boy has yet to be released. He also faces another charge of possession of a firearm by a minor. The Forrest City Police Department says Martesz Childers was found with apparent gunshot wounds following an argument over the teenag...

Arkansas attorney general's investigator shoots himselfLITTLE ROCK — An investigator in the Arkansas attorney general's office accidentally shot himself while taking his gun out of its holster outside a Little Rock restaurant. Police say 58-year-old Stephen Svetz was outside South on Main on Friday and was removing the gun to put it in his car when the gun fired and struck him in the back. He was taken to a hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Attorney general spokesman Judd Deere told the...

Arkansas inmate awarded more than $5,000 from jailersTEXARKANA — An Arkansas state prison inmate has been awarded more than $5,000 for excessive force used against him by Hempstead County jailers. A federal judge ruled that the jailers used excessive force against Jacob Townsend during an incident in September 2011. Townsend's lawsuit said Simeon Ames and Pierre Summerville used excessive pepper spray on Townsend and that Ames attacked Townsend after he refused to clean around his cell, then ins...

1 killed in motorcycle crash on Interstate 30 in ArkansasHOT SPRINGS — The Arkansas State Police reports that a 30-year-old Hot Springs man has died following a collision involving two motorcycles on Interstate 30. State Police say the collision occurred at 2 a.m. Sunday in Hot Springs County. A preliminary fatal crash report says the motorcycles collided, slid several feet and then caught fire. Troopers say the bikers were traveling in a group when the two bikes collided. Authorities say Ranthony L...

New law has penalties for boating while intoxicatedLITTLE ROCK — A new Arkansas law prompted by the deaths of two University of Arkansas students makes driving a boat while intoxicated as serious as driving a car while impaired. The law, which went into effect this summer, was enacted following the deaths of William Lewis “Trey” Varner III of Texarkana, Arkansas, and Rachel Nicole Swetnam of Grove, Oklahoma, both 21, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported Monday. They died on May 14, 2013, at ...

New charge filed against suspect in stabbing deathLITTLE ROCK — Pulaski County authorities have filed a new charge against a slaying suspect after officials found “metal objects” in his cell. The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports that 21-year-old Johnny Tacu was booked into the Pulaski County Jail in June after being charged with first-degree murder in the stabbing death of 22-year-old Geovanne Navarro Carbajal. Carbajal was stabbed in the chest outside Tacu’s home and was taken to a hospital...

Canine-companion program helps put child victims at easeLITTLE ROCK — A new program that would place dogs in Arkansas courtrooms is designed to help calm child witnesses during interviews and testimony. The canine-companion program was the focus of a recent workshop in Faulkner County Circuit Court that included videos, demonstrations and occasional "breaks" for Molly B., who's three-fourths Labrador retriever and a quarter golden retriever, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported Monday (http://bit...

Murphy announces candidacyCONWAY — Circuit Judge Mike Murphy of Conway has announced his candidacy for the Arkansas Court of Appeals, District 2, Position 2, in the March 1, 2016, nonpartisan judicial elections. Murphy currently serves as the 1st Division circuit judge for the 20th Judicial District (Faulkner, Searcy and Van Buren counties). “I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve our citizens as one of their trial judges,” Murphy said. “It is an honor to seek this ...

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FOR THE COURIER / SubmittedThe Courier Your Messenger For The River Valley

Official urges safety on social mediaLITTLE ROCK — When used appropriately, social media sites are an enjoyable and effective way to keep in touch with friends and family. But there are potential dangers associated with these sites, including online predators. Social networking sites can provide a false sense of security for users who ignore the risks in making connections online. Attorney General Leslie Rutledge issued today’s consumer alert to provide online safety tips to Arka...